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Post by Capricorn on Oct 5, 2014 16:44:41 GMT -5
The dragon frolicked within a large copse of trees a short distance away from the Varden camps. She was relatively safe there- although she could not breathe fire yet, she had trained with a few other dragons and knew aerial combat, if it came to that. In addition, the trees' shadows blocked the glint of her black scales- unless one was scanning the area with magic, no Empire Rider would find her. Besides, her Rider was awake and training- the young dragon could communicate a few words and people would come running to save her. Not that she would scare anybody like that until she was sure that she couldn't handle the situation on her own.
She heaved herself onto her hind legs, testing how long she could hold the position for. Seemingly useless skills like this could catch Empire dragons unaware and give her an advantage. She never knew what would come in handy, and it did no good to rely on those same skills that others could use far more expertly than she could. The dragon was no fool, and she hoped that would save her and her Rider someday. She yawned and moved back onto all fours before glancing eagerly around the group of trees. What else could she try out?
((This takes place before the battle. Feel free to hop in however.))
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Post by David Lightningsword on Oct 5, 2014 17:19:56 GMT -5
David was taking a walk to clear his mind. the war was taking its toll on the Magician. David was always weak, always tired, and he could do nothing about it. His ring was empty, and he could not even afford a little bit of energy every night do to the threat of eminent attack. While he was walking, he jumped when he heard a dragon yawn. he intimidate reaction was to run and raise the alarm, then he remembered that the yawn could have easily came from a Varden dragon, so he investigated further, to find the Smaller Black Dragon examining the area. David bowed and said outloud "It is an honor, oh Dragon" he did not dare enter the dragon's mind first, since it was deemed 'rude'
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Post by Capricorn on Oct 5, 2014 17:32:00 GMT -5
The dragon stopped as she heard a voice from behind her. She whipped around to face him, and tilted her head as she inspected the person. They were a human, so she didn't yet respond. He could be apart of the Empire, too. He seemed to respect her, but that wasn't evidence enough- it could be a ploy by the Empire. But then again, he seemed to know something about dragons since he wasn't screaming and running away, so he'd likely have lowered his mental barriers if he expected her to answer. She could check his allegiance then, and call her Rider if he had bad motives.
"Greetings, human. I do hope that I did not scare you." She responded in the Ancient Language. It was a moment afterwards that she realized that he was a human, and as such likely didn't know the language. She spoke again, this time with human words. "Greetings. My apologies, my Rider is an elf and so I tend to prefer her language over the human tongue. I hope that I did not scare you."
It was then that the dragon began attempting to scan the human's mind. She wasn't delving in too deep- just enough to know if he belonged to the Empire, the Varden, or neither. She made no effort to hide this- it was completely understandable to seek this information, as far as she was concerned. Still, she would offer an honest explanation if he inquired into her actions.
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Post by David Lightningsword on Oct 5, 2014 17:56:04 GMT -5
David smiled at the mental contact, and after a few moments of translating the Dragons words, he responded in the same language "No need to aplogise dragon, it is within your..rights as a dragon to do so" he then chuckled and said in his own native tongue "It is an understandable mistake. Luckily i am well versed.. for a human.. in the ancient language."
He then began to put up his barriers when the Dragon began to delve into his mind, but realized she was probably just making sure he was not someone from the Empire. So he allowed her access to his memories.
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Post by Capricorn on Oct 5, 2014 18:13:14 GMT -5
She sensed the barriers, and annoyance flashed through the dragon for just a moment before she felt them lower. "Eka fricai un skulblaka." She said, communicating amusement associated with the phrase to the human. "I was checking to see if you were a friend as well, nothing more. What brings you here, human? And what is your name? It is rather strange to simply refer to you as 'human'."
The dragon allowed her body to relax, and she laid on her belly in the grass, flicking her tail idly from side to side. So it was her right as a dragon to speak whichever language she wished? The concept amused her, especially how widespread it was. She had met plenty of humans and even elves who did the exact same thing. It seemed like only other dragons and Riders had not said something like that to her. She didn't mind one bit.
"I take it that you are a mage." She said. "And a talented one at that. The barriers, of course, could be done if you are a mindbreaker, but you were able to understand the Ancient Language. Few human magicians know more than a few words, apart from Riders, of course, let alone the grammarical structure and enough words to understand a sentence. May I ask where you attained such knowledge of the Ancient Language?"
((Ancient language phrase= I am a dragon and friend))
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Post by David Lightningsword on Oct 5, 2014 18:54:38 GMT -5
David nodded "It is only wise to do so. As for my name, I am David Lightningsword. Son of Zeus. What is your name, oh fine Dragon? Calling you Dragon does not give you justice." He said, still speaking with his mind, since her rider was not around to speak for The dragon, David assumed it was okay.
David smiled and nodded again, confirming the fact he was indeed a mage. When she asked how he had known so much about the ancient language, David sighed and said "My Father began to teach me it when i was very little, I think he learned from his father, who i believe may have been a rider. When my father died a couple years back, and continued to learn the language any way I could, books, comparing knowelge with other magic users, stuff like that" he sighed again, remembering his father was tough
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Post by Capricorn on Oct 5, 2014 19:10:42 GMT -5
"So you believe your grandfather was a Rider... That is indeed fascinating. I would see if my Rider is able to access the Riders' records, but I believe that any records that may have existing were destroying during the razing of Doru Arabea." The dragon yawned again and looked in the direction of the Varden camp. She would return there soon so that she could rest and hopefully train with another dragon. She had a lot of time to make up for, since she hadn't been born and all.
She realized that she had forgotten David's first question. "I have no name. Not yet, anyways. I will take my time- I do not have an eternity to wait, and of course I will be able to change it if I so decide, but for now I am content to wait. Come up with a title and call me by it if you must, it matters not to me."
The dragon stood up and faced in the direction of the camp. "I should return to my Rider soon. You may come with me, if you so wish, but I will not be offended if you do not, of course. I'm sure that you had a purpose for coming to these trees- a purpose that I am sure I have distracted you from. I apologize for that."
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Post by David Lightningsword on Oct 5, 2014 19:25:31 GMT -5
David bowed his head and replied "If your Rider would be so kind. my father never mentioned his father. His name was Kronos..unfortunately that is all i know of him." he sighed, his father concentrating more on teaching David how to live life as a Magician of the Varden. David had to pry a lot just to get information on his dead mother.
David then looked away from the Dragon at her next statement "I would not dare try and give a name to a Dragon, lest of all a dragon that was none mine own." he said quietly, yet again wishing he had a dragon to call his bond partner.
When the Dragon offered for him to accompany her, he got a faint image in his mind of him riding her. He then blushed and pushed it out of his mind. That was a boys fantasy, not that of a grown mans, even one who dreamed of being a rider. He then bowed and said 'It would be an honor to accomanpy you O Dragon."
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Post by Capricorn on Oct 5, 2014 19:50:26 GMT -5
The dragon took a few steps past David and turned her head to glance back at him. "Follow me, and tell me if I walk too quickly." She said.
She stopped for a moment and prodded her Rider's mind. The dragon glanced through her partner's eyes. A white blade flashed across her field of vision as her partner thrust her sword forward. The elven Rider had one her duel against another Rider, and she sheathed her sword. "Auduriel." The dragon said to her Rider, who paused and answered. "Yes?"
"I just wanted to tell you that I was coming." The dragon responded. Her partner sent feelings of understanding and the dragon retreated back to her own body. She looked back at David.
"I just went to see what my Rider was doing. There is no trouble." She probably should have offered an explanation before she suddenly stopped like that and contacted her Rider, she realized- she didn't want to make David think that she sensed trouble. "Just as a forewarning, my Rider is rather... Unpleasant. She will not like you. She does not like anybody when she first meets them. No, she didn't even like me- she never wanted to be a Rider."
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Post by David Lightningsword on Oct 5, 2014 20:09:22 GMT -5
David nodded at the Dragon and said "What ever pace you set, i shall keep, it is not my place to tell one so great as you to slow down" He then began to follow the Dragon, giving her enough of a berth so that she would not clip him with her wings, plus he did not want to be within touching distance of her. That place was reserved for close friends of the Dragon, and they had just met.
When she froze, so did David. he looked around wildly, sword now out of his sheath, words of power on his lips. When the Dragon then explained, he exhaled a breath he did not know he had been holding. he sheathed his sword and said "That is quite alright. Although a little forewarning would have been welcome.."
he then was shocked at the Dragon's next words 'She doesn't like you? how could she not like you? To be blessed with the honor of being a rider.. it is something I have dreamed of since i was a little boy. I can't fathom how she would not like you.." he almost touched the dragon's shoulder in condolence, but stopped, thinking better of it. He hoped no thoughts of that reached the dragon's mind.
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Post by Capricorn on Oct 5, 2014 20:23:37 GMT -5
The dragon sped up a little bit in response to David's reply. He could keep up with her, so she wanted to get back to the camp as soon as she could. Obviously he couldn't match her pace if she flew, and she was enjoying their conversation, so she opted to remain groundbound. Besides, she wasn't working on a time schedule anyways. His comments about "one as great as you" still didn't cease to amuse her.
His comment about her Rider upset her a bit, but she did not lose her temper. Auduriel, on the other hand... She's probably pull a sword on him and then leave to mull over how upset she was. "She did not. Do note that I have past tense- and also note that you do not know why. It is not my place to tell you why, but believe me, you would regret what you had said if you knew the reason, I am sure. I am not trying to threaten you- I am merely stating the facts. Not everybody dreams of being a Rider." She paused for a moment before continuing with her answer. "She does like me now, of course. I would not hatch for a person that I thought would hate me for all their life. I decided that she would be my rider with the full knowledge that she would not like me at first. I would sentence myself to such a miserable existance. I pity any dragon who has to live like that."
She continued on, and soon she had reached the camp. Her Rider was just across a clearing, in front of her tent, dressed in one of the loose shirts that she had been given upon entering Dras-Leona with her dragon rather than her usual armor.
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Post by David Lightningsword on Oct 5, 2014 20:31:58 GMT -5
David picked up his speed to match the Dragon's faster pace. When he realized the error he made, he blushed slightly and bowed his head "My apologizes again dragon. I did not catch the tense you used. I spoke.. well thought that is, too rashly. As you can see, I have a lot to learn when it comes to communing with a Dragon and Rider.. or with people in General. I too rarely speak openly to people. Before my father's death it was different, now though, I just do not wish it." he shrugged, wondering why he was opening up to this dragon whom he barely knew.
When they reached her Rider, David bowed, twisting his hand over his chest like the elves did. "It is an honor Shur'tugal."
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Post by Capricorn on Oct 5, 2014 20:45:20 GMT -5
"This is Auduriel." The dragon said to David. "My Rider."
Auduriel glanced at the human with her sword in her lap, her expression completely devoid of emotion. "I see that you've taken an interest in my partner here." She said coldly, before running a finger along the opal in her sword's pommel. It was a Rider's blade, although it was white, and as such did not match her dragon's color. It had been a gift from her mother, not something that was made for her.
The dragon went to take her place besides her Rider, and nuzzled her hair. She was still small enough to lean down and touch her Rider with her nose, something that she was greatful for, even though she was large enough to ride now. The dragon fondly remembered the times not long ago when she had curled up with Auduriel and slept with her beside her pillow. Soon Auduriel would be able to curl up underneath her.
"What do you need?" The Rider said in the same cold tone, as she sheathed her sword, rose to her feet, and put her left hand onto her dragon.
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Post by David Lightningsword on Oct 5, 2014 20:53:50 GMT -5
David smiled at the Dragon, and remembering now he had a rider to communicate for the dragon, he said out loud "Thank you for allowing me to accompany you, great one." he then turned his attention back to the Rider, Auduriel. he nodded and said 'We stumbled upon each other just outside camp, she gave me quite a scare." he smiled, hoping that might soften up the elven woman. His heart swelled with longing and desire as he saw the rider and dragon together, having wanted nothing more than a partnership like this since he was younger, more so since his fathers dead.
He pushed the rising grieve to the side and answered "i need nothing. Your dragon offered for me to accompany her, it was an honor i could not refuse. You are one lucky woman" he spoke honestly
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Post by Capricorn on Oct 5, 2014 21:08:57 GMT -5
"Thank you for accompanying me." The dragon answered simply. She fixed her purple gaze upon David before shifting it back to her Rider. This wasn't the first person whom the dragon had ended up bringing to Auduriel, and she was used to her Rider's reactions to other people. She wasn't going to tell her Rider to be nice- her Rider would warm up to whoever her Rider warmed up to. The dragon had no say in that and she did not intend to.
Auduriel still didn't allow her tone to become any less hostile. "As would be expected." She said. "I would not expect a simple footsoldier to be able to see a dragon and not have fear struck into his or her heart. I'm surprised that you didn't run back and alert the guards. That's the only reason I'm even speaking to you- you have the sense to tell a Varden dragon from an Empire dragon, but clearly not to try and greet an elven Rider with a bit more respect."
The dragon laid down on her belly and simply listed to what Auduriel was saying. "Nobody just stumbles upon a dragon like that. And you have no right to tell me whether I am lucky or not, human. What are you basing it off of? The simple fact that I am a Rider? Many Riders do not have the happiest histories. Eragon Shadeslayer was given to his uncle when he was a mere baby, and never knew his parents- as parents, anyways. Galbatorix himself was an orphan living on the streets before the Order of the Dragon Riders found him. You're a fool to call a Rider "lucky" based off of the simple fact that they're a Rider."
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Post by David Lightningsword on Oct 5, 2014 21:31:43 GMT -5
David smiled at the dragon, before turning back his attention to the Rider. He raised an eyebrow before saying "My apologies, I did not think you expected anything more from a simple footsoldier." He twisted his hand in the fealty symbol again and spoke solomly in the ancient language "May good fortune rule over you"
David kept his eyebrow raised "Yet those histories could be why your Dragon's choose you. You were lucky to have your dragon choose you, as was Eragon and yes, even Galbatorix. To share that sort of bond is something most people yearn for. They can give you hope, someone to care for you.. someone you love. Everyone has something about their histories that are tragic, but that is what makes them who they are today. I would not be 'Lightningsword' if it weren't for my father's death. it gave me the strength to preform the magic. I do not pretend to be wiser than an elf, but the way i see things, you have been blessed in ways most people will never know. Myself included. Maybe you do not even know how blessed you are yet." He spoke quietly, again looking at her dragon. He could tell he would have to try really hard to earn Auduriels respect.. but he would do that, because he knew it would be worth it
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Post by Capricorn on Oct 5, 2014 21:47:48 GMT -5
Auduriel made an animalistic noise that sounded like a hiss and reached up to clutch her dragon's neck. "You pretend to understand that which you cannot." She said. Although she didn't show it, her hostility was breaking instead- David's words were making her both furious and sad at the same time. "Riders do not have easy lives. Forced to bear the expectations of everyone around us... You expect me to be the happiest person in Alagaesia because I am a Rider. This is a foolish expectations. You know, I pity the human Riders. Forced to live forever while their family dies around them. Alagaesia is a cruel land in an equally cruel world. Dragon Riders show this very well."
The dragon met David's eyes and communicated something else to him- the night that she had hatched. The cold she felt when she left her warm egg and emerged into the real world for the first time. Auduriel had woken up to her egg in the middle of her home in Ellesmera. The elf woman backed against a wall, trying to desperately avoid the dragon, but the dragon pressed her head against Auduriel's right palm and the bond was made. She then withdrew her mind at least a bit, but not so much that she'd have to enter David's mind again if she spoke to him again in the near future.
Auduriel continued. "And if a Rider and dragon are ever seperated permanently? It's terrible. I have never experienced it, but it's the worst feeling in the world from what I've been told. Galbatorix went mad. I love my dragon- and she loves me- but when she hatched for me, an almost unbreakable bond was formed. And when it is broken? You can never be who you were before. You cannot have been a Rider and have had a dragon and be the same person you are after the dragon dies. And if you're a dragon, you've never known a life without your Rider. It must be the loneliest feeling in the world."
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Post by David Lightningsword on Oct 5, 2014 21:58:20 GMT -5
David sighed when she all but ignored his attempt at the elvish greeting. His anger flared though and his said "Do not take me for a fool. I know Riders do not live easily lives. But at least you have something worth living for. I do not expect you to be the happiest person in the world, but at least you have something to be happy about" He snapped, eyes sparking in anger.
When the dragon project the memory of their bonding, David retaliated with showing the memory of his father dying, hoping Auduriel would see it through her connection with the Dragon. He wanted her to know he was not some green boy. He had seen the worlds horrors, he knew what being a Rider meant.
David then nodded, still upset and said "I will not begin to try and understand how that feels, but I have known lonleyness. I would give anything to have a bond with someone, or something. Give me something to live for. After Galbatorix is killed, my purpose will end. Revenge has kept me going this long. Your Dragon now knows how i feel. Ask her"
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Post by Capricorn on Oct 5, 2014 22:05:19 GMT -5
The dragon looked on helplessly as her Rider fought with the human.
"What do you know?" Auduriel snapped. The dragon attempted to show her David's memory, but the elf was having none of it. "You're just a footsoldier who was lucky enough to get the Varden to take him, and I'm an elf who had a dragon hatch for her. You're a fool to think that you know more than I do. That you've done more than I have. You're such a fool."
The dragon had never seen her Rider get this angry before. "I'm sorry." She said to David as she watched the elf argue with him. "I'm sorry. She's just... Upset. Your points are logical, moreso than hers. They've just hit... A sore spot. It's her fault, not yours, no matter what she says."
"And why are you sitting her talking to me anyways?" Auduriel continued on. "If you have nothing reasonable to say to me, why are you here arguing with me at all? Don't you have better things to do than arguing with an older, wiser being who will live far longer than you will? Why don't you find something more productive to do than arguing with a Rider?" She grasped the hilt of her sword.
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Post by David Lightningsword on Oct 5, 2014 22:15:55 GMT -5
David growled and barked in the Ancient Language "I know more than most humans do, could any greet you in the ways you elves do, or say a full sentence in this, the language of power?" He then growled again and snapped in his native tongue. "Foot solider? I am a Mage who the Varden gladly took and tried to thrust large titles upon him when his father died in their name. I refused power! Something most men would not do." He the ripped his sword from its sheath and pointed it towards the sky "KVEYKVA" He barked, lightning coming down from the sky and hitting his sword, electrifying it. he staggered a bit then pointed it at her "Name one non Rider who can do that elf" He said hotidly
He then said mentally to the dragon as he calmed down somewhat "I know, and i too apologize for getting angry. The fact she is blind that i am trying to comfort her and help her is just making me angry."
He then sighed out-loud and said "I am sitting her because I am trying to help you. If you would drop the past and consider what I am saying, you would see that. Frankly, no, I do not having something better to do, for helping a Rider understand she is lucky is a very important matter."
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